If you have been arrested for and charged with a drunk driving offense in South Carolina, you may be wondering if you will have to install and use an ignition interlock device. This is an understandable concern as these devices can be very expensive and all costs are your responsibility under the law. This includes the costs to have the system installed and eventually removed as well as any leasing and calibration fees along the way.
In addition, using an IID may be very cumbersome and even embarrassing. However, there may be options for you to avoid having to use an ignition interlock device. As explained by The State, if you are charged with a first driving under the influence charge and your blood alcohol content was below 0.15 percent at the time of your arrest, it is not required that you install an IID. If your BAC was 0.15 percent or greater, you may still be able to avoid the IID by working with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
A temporary alcohol license allows you to drive while your DUI case is underway. Some cases take far longer to conclude than the six months for which an IID may be required. In this way, you could continue driving sans an IID while you pursue your defense.
If you would like to learn more about your rights under the law after you are accused of a driving under the influence offense, please feel free to visit the drunk driving defendant’s rights page of our South Carolina criminal defense website.